Shock spring options

[Storkfoot]

This is a Gaz shock after stripping. I've stripped it as I want a significantly stiffer spring.



Unfortunately, the spring is 7 1/4 inches whereas the only springs I can find (Faulkner ones on the Demon Tweeks site) only come as 7" or 8." Neither of these lengths is good as with an 8" I'd have to compress the spring to get the to get the adjuster nut on.

Any thoughts, anyone please? Spacer? Another spring?

PS I have a fork spring compressor but with this spring only being 2 1/4" diameter, the compressor will not grab the coils.

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

I have a couple of the older Gaz shock absorbers but no idea of the rate or length for that matter! One is red & the other one blue but they may be identical for all I know

However I’m happy to help (as ever) by measuring up the O. D. & I. D. Which, of course, will confirm the Ø of the spring to give some guesstimate of the rate....Chances are that they are no stiffer than standard issue as they were used specifically for one up (racing) use, but I'm happy to lend out if interchangeable.

That (measuring up) is, perhaps, is what you need to do then search on t’internet for alternative springs that fit your parameters.

You are, no doubt, aware that re-springing of the RD type monoshocks is fairly commonplace for use on Lambrettas & perhaps those that offer such a service might be the best to ask as they will have been through a similar exercise

[Storkfoot]

Cheers. If the older Gaz shocks are the same construction, I'd be interested if the springs look sturdier than this but I don't expect you to strip the shocks down to find out

I can't find such a spring on the internet, yet. I'll keep looking though.

I have done a 180 lbs spring conversion on an RD shock several years ago. It was easy to get the compressor on that wider diameter spring though. Probably, with a bit of ingenuity, maybe ratchet straps, I'd be able to compress, say, a 180 spring enough to get the adjusters on?

[Warkton Tornado No.1]

IMHO ratchet straps do work but best used having somehow constrained the spring in the first place. It takes a big vice for them to fit! Masking tape will help stop the straps slipping as well as serving some protection, if you attempt it.

[Storkfoot]

Looking at it again, a 7" Demon Tweeks spring would allow the spring to be compressed, but not a lot. If I pursue this route, the question would be what spring, 180, 200, 220lbs?

[tim_mason]

I always use a 180

[Toddy]

Looking at it again, a 7" Demon Tweeks spring would allow the spring to be compressed, but not a lot. If I pursue this route, the question would be what spring, 180, 200, 220lbs?

Paul , have you tried Chiggy at Lambretta upgrades he may have spring you need

[dickie]

Looking at it again, a 7" Demon Tweeks spring would allow the spring to be compressed, but not a lot. If I pursue this route, the question would be what spring, 180, 200, 220lbs?

Paul , have you tried Chiggy at Lambretta upgrades he may have spring you need

Or try mct suspension in stowmarket.

[Storkfoot]

Thanks, I shall pursue those leads but I suspect my options will be to either get a spacer made up to put the spring under more tension, with no guarantee that the shock will be stiff enough, or to bite the bullet and buy a new shock.

The reason is that the spring appears an odd size - 190mm in length, 45mm internal diameter and 60mm external.

[Storkfoot]

Just discovered it's actually a ScootRS shock! I think I'll have to concede defeat on that basis. I'll put it back together and save it for a standard machine that isn't doing high miles laden down.

To be fair, my MOT lad, a dyed in the wool biker, commented that it worked much better than most scooter shocks he came across.